Vertical retracting thruster

ABSTRACT

A vertical retracting thruster for providing thrust to a vessel is disclosed, suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel. The vertical retracting thruster comprises a fixed base and a movable base. A vertical height adjusting assembly is configured to move the movable base relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction. A thrust motor is mounted to the movable base. The vertical retracting thruster has a retracted configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller projects from the hull. The vertical retracting thruster is operable to move between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vertical retracting thruster and particularly, although not exclusively, to a vertical retracting thruster suitable to be installed within the hull of a pontoon boat.

BACKGROUND

Manoeuvring larger vessels in the confines of a busy harbour or marina can be challenging, with cross winds and tides making mooring particularly difficult. In order to ease the mooring process, large vessels can be equipped with an additional thruster, which is oriented transversely to the main propulsion thruster, to provide lateral thrust. One type of known additional thruster is a vertical retracting tunnel thruster (VRTT).

VRTTs are known to be installed within the hull of a vessel. They comprise a motor, a drive shaft, a propeller and an actuator for axially moving the propeller in a vertical direction relative to the hull. In operation, VRTTs can adopt a retracted state, where the propeller remains within the hull, and a deployed state, where the propeller projects out of the hull. It is when the VRTT is in the deployed state that the propeller generates lateral thrust for the vessel.

VRTTs have a fixed base for attaching to a hull, and movable base, which is linked to the motor, drive shaft and propeller. The movable base provides a platform for adjusting the vertical position of the propeller relative to the fixed base and hull.

Known actuators for vertically moving the propeller relative to the hull comprise a lead screw and lead screw follower, where the lead screw extends in the vertical direction. Known actuators further comprise an auxiliary motor to rotate the lead screw and, in some cases, a gearbox for transferring torque between the auxiliary motor and lead screw. The lead screw follower is fixed with respect to the movable base, and the lead screw is fixed (in translation only) with respect to the fixed base. The lead screw is rotatable with respect to the movable base and the fixed base. This means that when the lead screw rotates in the lead screw follower, the movable base will axially move relative to the fixed base in the vertical direction. This in turn will also result in the propeller axially moving relative to the hull in the vertical direction. When the VRTT is in the deployed state, the movable base may be at its closest possible position with respect to the fixed base. On the other hand, when the VRTT is in the retracted state, the movable base may be at its furthest possible position with respect to the fixed base.

Assuming that the propeller fully projects out from the hull in the deployed state, the minimum vertical distance required for the VRTT to transition from the retracted state to the deployed state is the diameter of the propeller, even disregarding the thickness of the hull and any housing around the propeller. This means that the VRTT must be large enough to achieve a vertical stroke, i.e. the vertical distance travelled by the moveable plate and propeller with respect to the hull, of at least the propeller diameter. For vessels with large hulls, this is not a problem because the hull has plenty of space to accommodate the VRTT. However, for vessels with smaller (or highly equipped) hulls, the available space (particularly in the vertical height dimension) for the VRTT is limited.

A known example of a vessel with a small hull is a pontoon boat. Pontoon boats comprise a flat deck attached on top of buoyant elongate tubes (known as pontoons). These pontoons extend the length of the boat and can house a variety of marine equipment, such as the fuel & water tanks, windlass and pressurised tanks. Pontoon boats are popular, relatively low-cost boats in the leisure boating industry. The pontoons of such pontoon boats may for example have an internal diameter in the region of 600 mm.

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the inventors' realisation that it would be advantageous to provide pontoon boats with suitable thrusters to aid manoeuvring for mooring and the like. The use of vertical retracting thrusters is desirable in view of their relatively simple construction and therefore cost-efficiency to manufacture. However, the typical vertical space available within a pontoon hull is limited. Furthermore, given the shallow draft of typical pontoon boats, it is not suitable to install non-retracting tunnel thrusters.

Accordingly, in the first preferred aspect, the present invention provides a vertical retracting thruster for providing lateral thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising:

-   -   a fixed base separating a thrust motor side and a propeller side         of the vertical retracting thruster;     -   a movable base provided on the thrust motor side;     -   a vertical height adjusting assembly configured to move the         movable base relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction;     -   a thrust motor mounted to the movable base;     -   a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to         150 mm, the propeller being provided on the propeller side;     -   a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the         drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the         fixed base;     -   a drive shaft casing provided around the drive shaft; and     -   a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft         casing and an internal surface of the fixed base, the seal         providing water sealing between the thrust motor side and         propeller side, wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a         retracted configuration, in which the propeller is retracted         into the hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the         propeller projects from the hull, the vertical retracting         thruster being operable to move between the retracted         configuration and the deployed configuration, and wherein, when         in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical         direction between the movable base and the fixed base is less         than 200 mm, and wherein the vertical height adjusting assembly         comprises:     -   a height adjustment motor;     -   a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being         mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor;     -   a bearing plate attached to the gearbox such that the output         shaft of the gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate;     -   a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable         base; and     -   a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with         the output shaft of the gearbox, the height adjusting lead screw         extending in the vertical direction from the gearbox to the         height adjusting lead screw follower, the height adjusting lead         screw coupling with the height adjusting lead screw follower         such that the height adjusting lead screw follower and movable         base move in the vertical direction when the height adjusting         lead screw is rotated via the height adjustment motor and         gearbox, wherein the bearing plate and gearbox are attached to         the fixed base with at least one fastener, said at least one         fastener passing continuously through the bearing plate, the         gearbox and the fixed base.

By attaching the bearing plate and gearbox to the fixed base with at least one fastener that passes continuously through the bearing plate, the gearbox and the fixed base, the vertical height taken up by the gearbox and bearing plate relative to the fixed base is minimal. This in turn allows the movable base to get in close proximity to the fixed base, which, for a given vertical stroke length, reduces the total height needed for the vertical retracting thruster.

There may be provided two or more such fasteners. For example, three such fasteners may be provided. Three fasteners provides suitable securing of the bearing plate and gearbox with respect to the fixed plate.

Preferably, the drive shaft has a fixed length in the vertical direction. Whilst it is possible to manufacture and deploy a telescopic drive shaft, such telescopic drive shafts are relatively expensive, in particular those that can extend to a required degree and still withstand the torque of the motor. Furthermore, a fixed length drive shaft has fewer moving parts, requires less maintenance and is less likely to develop unwanted play. Overall, it is considered that a fixed length drive shaft provides more reliable operation.

Preferably, the total vertical height from the thruster motor to the propeller is not more than 600 mm and is more preferably less than 600 mm. By limiting the total vertical height to 600 mm, the vertical retracting thruster can be installed entirely within a typical pontoon hull. The total vertical height is measured, when the thruster is in the upright orientation, from the uppermost extremity of the thrust motor to the lowermost extremity of the propeller (or lowermost extremity of a propeller tunnel surrounding the propeller, if one is provided).

As mentioned above, there may be a propeller tunnel surrounding the propeller. There may additionally be a hull plug portion attached below the propeller tunnel. The hull plug portion has a shape that corresponds to and fits within an aperture in the hull. The aperture in the hull if the aperture through which the thruster extends in the deployed configuration. In the retracted configuration, the hull plug portion therefore fills the aperture in order to reduce drag when the vertical retracting thruster is in the retracted configuration.

Preferably, the thrust motor is an electric motor. Although it is possible to use hydraulic motors for thrusters, it is considered that the relatively small scale of the present thruster favours the use of an electric motor.

In a second preferred aspect, the present invention provides a vessel with a vertical retracting thruster, according to the first aspect, installed inside a hull of the vessel. Preferably, the vessel is a pontoon style vessel.

Preferably, the vessel is a pontoon style vessel with three hulls. In this case, the hulls are parallel and extend along the full length of the pontoon boat. Each hull is attached to the deck of the boat, with one running along the middle (i.e. the central hull) and the other two on either side of the central hull. This arrangement results in the deck being well support across its width.

Preferably, the vertical retracting thruster is installed inside the central hull. In this case, the propeller is less likely to be damaged when the vertical retracting thruster is being used during mooring. Furthermore, installing the vertical retracting thruster in the central hull improves manoeuvrability of the pontoon boat as lateral thrust is applied from the central axis of the boat, rather than off-centre.

Preferably, the vertical retracting thruster is installed inside a bow region of the hull. Another vertical retracting thruster according to the first aspect may be installed inside a stern region of the hull. In this case, the combination of the two vertical retracting thrusters can be used to control the yaw response of the pontoon boat, which is particularly helpful when mooring.

The present inventors have realised that it would be beneficial to provide a vertical retracting thruster which, optionally in addition to the some or all of the advantages set out above, allows control over the direction of thrust provided. In particular, it is of interest to control the direction of thrust in a horizontal plane, so that the thruster can provide thrust in any direction within the horizontal plane. This allows the thruster to provide useful steering control of the boat in low speed manoeuvring, for example during mooring procedures.

Accordingly, in a third preferred aspect, the present invention provides a vertical retracting thruster for providing thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising:

-   -   a fixed base separating a thrust motor side and a propeller side         of the vertical retracting thruster;     -   a movable base provided on the thrust motor side;     -   a vertical height adjusting assembly configured to move the         movable base relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction;     -   a thrust motor mounted to the movable base;     -   a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to         150 mm, the propeller being provided on the propeller side;     -   a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the         drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the         fixed base;     -   a drive shaft casing provided around the drive shaft;     -   a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft         casing and an internal surface of the fixed base, the seal         providing water sealing between the thrust motor side and         propeller side,     -   wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a retracted         configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the         hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller         projects from the hull, the vertical retracting thruster being         operable to move between the retracted configuration and the         deployed configuration, and wherein, when in the retracted         configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between         the movable base and the fixed base is less than 200 mm,     -   and wherein the vertical retracting thruster further comprises a         steering arrangement for control of the direction of an axis of         rotation of the propeller and thereby the direction of thrust at         least when the vertical retracting thruster is in the deployed         configuration, the steering arrangement being configured to         rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the         propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to         the fixed base.

In a similar manner to the first aspect, the vertical retracting thruster may have a relatively small format, allowing it to be fitted within hulls having only a small vertical internal space. Accordingly, the vertical height adjusting assembly may comprise:

-   -   a height adjustment motor;     -   a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being         mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor;     -   a bearing plate attached to the gearbox such that the output         shaft of the gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate;     -   a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable         base; and     -   a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with         the output shaft of the gearbox.

The height adjusting lead screw extends in the vertical direction from the gearbox to the height adjusting lead screw follower. The height adjusting lead screw may couple with the height adjusting lead screw follower such that the height adjusting lead screw follower and movable base move in the vertical direction when the height adjusting lead screw is rotated via the height adjustment motor and gearbox.

The bearing plate and gearbox may be attached to the fixed base with at least one fastener. The at least one fastener may pass continuously through the bearing plate, the gearbox and the fixed base. This provides similar advantages to those described with respect to the first aspect.

The steering arrangement may comprises a steering motor fixed with respect to the movable base. The steering motor may be configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base. In this way, the fixed base can remain fixed with respect to the hull and the movable base can be rotationally fixed with respect to the fixed base (but translatable vertically with respect to the fixed base). The steering motor may for example be an electric motor. The steering motor may drive a gear wheel which is linked to a corresponding gear fixed with respect to the drive shaft casing. There may be a gearing reduction between the steering motor and the gear wheel and/or between the gear wheel and the gear fixed with respect to the drive shaft casing. This gearing reduction allows for fine adjustments to the direction of thrust.

The steering arrangement may comprise a slew ring bearing arranged to allow rotation between the drive shaft casing and the movable base and to retain the drive shaft casing in a vertical direction with respect to the movable base.

Preferably, the drive shaft has a fixed length in the vertical direction.

The total vertical height from the thruster motor to the propeller may be less than 600 mm.

The thrust motor may be an electric motor.

The present inventors have realised that it would be beneficial to provide a vertical retracting thruster which, optionally in addition to the some or all of the advantages set out above, takes greater account of the space occupied by the thruster when in the retracted configuration, allowing the use of a propeller with greater diameter in order to provide further increased thrust capability.

Accordingly, in a fourth preferred aspect, the present invention provides a vertical retracting thruster for providing thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising:

-   -   a fixed base for mounting with respect to the hull;     -   a movable base;     -   a vertical height adjusting assembly;     -   a thrust motor;     -   a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to         250 mm;     -   wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a retracted         configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the         hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller         projects from the hull, the vertical retracting thruster being         operable to move between the retracted configuration and the         deployed configuration,     -   the vertical retracting thruster further comprising:     -   a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the         drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the         fixed base when the vertical retracting thruster is in the         retracted configuration;     -   a drive shaft casing provided around at least part of the drive         shaft and extending from the movable base and through the fixed         base;     -   a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft         casing and an internal surface of the fixed base,     -   wherein the thrust motor is contained, at least in part, within         the drive shaft casing, the vertical height adjusting assembly         being configured to move the movable base, the drive shaft         casing, the thrust motor and the drive shaft relative to the         fixed base in a vertical direction.

The positioning of all or part of the thrust motor within the drive shaft casing allows the vertical height of the vertical retracting thruster to be reduced. This in turn allows a propeller of greater diameter to be used, which can fit into the available space in the hull, or allows the vertical retracting thruster to take up less vertical space in the hull, allowing room for additional components in the hull.

In some embodiments, the thrust motor is contained, in its entirety, within the drive shaft casing.

In a similar manner to the third aspect, there may be a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft casing and an internal surface of the fixed base. The seal may provide water sealing between a thrust motor side and a propeller side of the VRTT.

When in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base and the fixed base may be less than 300 mm. This distance may be less than 250 mm.

The vertical retracting thruster may further comprise a steering arrangement for control of the direction of an axis of rotation of the propeller and thereby the direction of thrust at least when the vertical retracting thruster is in the deployed configuration. The steering arrangement may be configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base.

In a similar manner to the first aspect and the third aspect, the vertical retracting thruster may comprise:

-   -   a height adjustment motor;     -   a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being         mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor; a bearing         plate attached to the gearbox such that the output shaft of the         gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate;     -   a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable         base; and     -   a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with         the output shaft of the gearbox.

The height adjusting lead screw extends in the vertical direction from the gearbox to the height adjusting lead screw follower. The height adjusting lead screw may couple with the height adjusting lead screw follower such that the height adjusting lead screw follower and movable base move in the vertical direction when the height adjusting lead screw is rotated via the height adjustment motor and gearbox.

The bearing plate and gearbox may be attached to the fixed base with at least one fastener. The at least one fastener may pass continuously through the bearing plate, the gearbox and the fixed base. This provides similar advantages to those described with respect to the first aspect.

The steering arrangement may comprise a steering motor fixed with respect to the movable base. The steering motor may be configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base. In this way, the fixed base can remain fixed with respect to the hull and the movable base can be rotationally fixed with respect to the fixed base (but translatable vertically with respect to the fixed base). The steering motor may for example be an electric motor. The steering motor may drive a gear wheel or worm which is linked to a corresponding gear or worm wheel fixed with respect to the drive shaft casing. There may be a gearing reduction between the steering motor and the drive shaft casing. This gearing reduction allows for fine adjustments to the direction of thrust.

The steering arrangement may comprise a slew ring bearing arranged to allow rotation between the drive shaft casing and the movable base and to retain the drive shaft casing in a vertical direction with respect to the movable base.

Preferably, the drive shaft has a fixed length in the vertical direction.

The total vertical height from the thruster motor to the propeller may be less than 600 mm.

The thrust motor may be an electric motor.

In a fifth preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a vessel with a vertical retracting thruster according to the third or the fourth aspect installed inside a hull of the vessel.

The vessel may be a pontoon style vessel. The pontoon style vessel may comprise three hulls. The vertical retracting thruster may be installed inside the central hull.

The vessel may have two or more vertical retracting thrusters according to the third aspect installed inside one or more hulls of the vessel. Additionally or alternatively, the vessel may have one or more vertical retracting thrusters according to the first aspect installed inside one or more hulls of the vessel. Additionally or alternatively, the vessel may have one or more vertical retracting thrusters according to the fourth aspect installed inside one or more hulls of the vessel. For example, a vertical retracting thruster according to the first aspect may be installed inside a bow region of the hull and a vertical retracting thruster according to the third or fourth aspect may be installed inside a stern region of the hull. As another example, a vertical retracting thruster according to the third or fourth aspect may be installed inside a bow region of the hull and a vertical retracting thruster according to the first aspect may be installed inside a stern region of the hull. As a further example, a vertical retracting thruster according to the third or fourth aspect may be installed inside a bow region of the hull and a vertical retracting thruster according to the third or fourth aspect may be installed inside a stern region of the hull.

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a vertical retracting thruster (VRTT) according to an embodiment of the invention, installed in a pontoon hull, with the thruster in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the VRTT of FIG. 1 , with the VRTT in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 3 a shows an enlarged front perspective view of the height adjusting assembly in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 b shows a further enlarged front perspective view of the bearing plate of the height adjusting assembly in FIG. 3 a.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the height adjusting assembly in the Y-Z plane.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the drive shaft and the fixed base in the Y-Z plane.

FIG. 6 shows a side perspective view of a hull of a pontoon boat, with the VRTT of FIG. 1 installed within the hull at a bow region and another VRTT of FIG. 1 installed within the hull at a stern region.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a vertical retracting thruster (VRTT) according to another embodiment of the invention, with the thruster in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 8 shows another view of the VRTT of FIG. 7 , rotated about 60° around the axis of the drive shaft compared with the view of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 shows the VRTT of FIG. 7 from a similar viewpoint but in partial cutaway view of the moveable base.

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of part of the VRTT shown in FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a vertical retracting thruster (VRTT) according to a further embodiment of the invention, with the thruster in a retracted configuration. The view shows part of the hull of the vessel but omits the compartment to which the VRTT is attached.

FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the movable base of the VRTT of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective cross sectional view of the VRTT of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of a modified version of the VRTT of FIG. 11 , but omits the fixed plate from the view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to identify similar features.

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the vertical retracting thruster 100 (VRTT) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The VRTT in FIG. 1 is in a retracted configuration.

The VRTT 100 is housed within a hull 102 of a vessel and is attached to a hull mount 104. The hull mount 104 may be integrated with the hull 102 or a separate piece that is fixed to the inner surface of the hull 102 through fasteners. The hull 102 has a tubular shape at the location of the VRTT 100, with the hull 102 extending along a longitudinal direction (i.e. in the x-direction). In this embodiments, the hull 102 has an inner diameter around 600 mm.

In general the VRTT 100 comprises a fixed base 106, a movable base 108, a vertical height adjusting assembly 110, a thrust motor 112, a propeller 114, a drive shaft 116 (not visible in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG. 5 ), a drive shaft casing 118 and a seal 120 (not visible in FIG. 1 but shown in FIG. 5 ).

The fixed base 106 is attached to the hull mount 104. The fixed base 106 comprises two parts that sandwich the hull mount 104, with fasteners passing through both the fixed base 106 and the hull mount 104 to achieve a secure connection.

The fixed base 106 separates a thrust motor side (in the upward z-direction relative to the fixed base 106) and a propeller side (in the downward z-direction relative to the fixed base 106). Unless stated otherwise, the z-direction corresponds to the ‘vertical’ direction.

The lateral thrust produced by the VRTT 100 is derived from the propeller 114. The propeller 114 has a diameter in the range of 100 mm to 150 mm. It has been found that, in combination with a suitable electric motor, this provides adequate lateral thrust for typical pontoon boats. The propeller 114 is provided on the propeller side of the fixed base 106 and is oriented transverse to the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction, i.e. in the y-direction.

A thrust motor 112 is provided to power the propeller 114. It is envisaged that the thrust motor 112 is an electric motor. Electric motors are available of suitable power but also of a suitably small size. The thrust motor 112 is mounted and attached to a movable base 108 through fasteners. The thrust motor 112 and movable base 108 are located on the thrust motor side of the fixed base 106.

A drive shaft 116 mechanically links the thrust motor 112 with the propeller 114. The drive shaft 116 extends between the thrust motor 112 and to the propeller 114 in the vertical direction.

Surrounding the drive shaft 116 is a drive shaft casing 118. For clarity, FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the drive shaft 116 in the drive shaft casing 118. The drive shaft casing 118 protects the drive shaft 116 from impacts and water damage during operation. Both the drive shaft 116 and the drive shaft casing 118 extend entirely through the movable base 108 and the fixed base 106.

As the propeller 114 is aligned perpendicular with respect to the drive shaft 116, the drive shaft 116 is connected to the propeller 114 through a right angle propeller gearbox 122. This right angle propeller gearbox 122 may be a 1:1, step-up or step-down gearbox.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the VRTT 100 in a deployed configuration. When in the deployed configuration, the propeller 114 projects out from the hull 102. Furthermore, in the deployed configuration, rotation of the propeller 114 generates lateral thrust to the hull 102. In order for the VRTT 100 to transition from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration, the thrust motor 112, movable base 108, drive shaft 116 and drive shaft casing 118 all move downward in the vertical direction.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 is configured to move the movable base 108 relative to the fixed base 106 in a vertical direction. Accordingly, because the propeller 114 is linked to the movable base 108 via the thrust motor 112 and drive shaft 116, moving the movable base 108 also moves the propeller 114 relative to the fixed base 106.

FIG. 3 a shows an enlarged view of the vertical height adjusting assembly 110, when the VRTT 100 is in the retracted configuration. The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 comprises a height adjustment motor 302, a gearbox 304, a bearing plate 306, a height adjusting lead screw 308 and a height adjusting lead screw follower 310.

To move the movable base 108 relative to the fixed base 106 in the vertical direction, the height adjustment motor 302 rotates the height adjusting lead screw 308, which in turn couples with the height adjusting lead screw follower 310.

The height adjusting lead screw follower 310 is fixed in position with respect to the movable base 108. The height adjusting lead screw follower 310 has a hole 312, with a threaded inner wall. The height adjusting lead screw follower 310 extends vertically and continuously through the movable base 108.

The height adjusting lead screw 308 consists of a threaded shaft that extends in the vertical direction. The height adjusting lead screw 308 is configured to couple with the threaded inner wall at the hole 312 of the height adjusting lead screw follower 310, such that the height adjusting lead screw 308 is rotatable within the height adjusting lead screw follower 310. The height adjusting lead screw follower 310 and movable base 108 move in the vertical direction relative to the height adjusting lead screw 308, when the height adjusting lead screw 308 rotates.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 has a height adjustment motor 302 to rotate the height adjusting lead screw 308. The height adjustment motor 302 is an electric motor, which has its principal axis (corresponding to the axis of rotation of the rotor within the motor) oriented transverse to the vertical direction. In the exemplary embodiment, the height adjustment motor 302 is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the hull 102 (in the x-direction). This orientation reduces the vertical height taken up by the height adjustment motor 302 and uses instead the relatively plentiful longitudinal space available in the hull.

The height adjustment motor 302 is connected to a gearbox 304. The gearbox 304 is a right angle gearbox and may be a 1:1, step-up or step-down gearbox. Preferably the gearbox is a step down gear box and may for example utilise a worm and worm wheel arrangement. The gearbox 304 includes an input shaft connected to the height adjustment motor 302 and an output shaft 314 connected to the height adjusting lead screw 308. The input shaft and the output shaft 314 are arranged to be orthogonal to each other. The gearbox 304 has a gearbox casing 315, which partially houses the inner shaft and the output shaft 314. The gearbox 304 is attached to the fixed base 106, with the bottom of the gearbox casing 315 abutting the top of the fixed base 106.

Attached to the top of the gearbox 304 is a bearing plate 306. The bearing plate may also provide the upper part of the gearbox casing. As shown in FIG. 3 b , the bearing plate 306 has an annular portion 316 with protrusions 318 extending radially from the outer circumference of the annular portion 316. In the exemplary embodiment, the bearing plate 306 has three protrusions 318, however more or fewer protrusions 318 may be provided. The protrusions 318 each surround a respective screw hole for fastening the bearing plate 306 to the gearbox 304 and to the fixed base 106.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the gearbox 304, the bearing plate 306 and the height adjusting lead screw 308. Inside the gearbox 304, the output shaft 314 rotates about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being in the vertical direction. When rotating, the output shaft 314 is supported by a pin 402 and the bearing plate 306. The output shaft 314 extends through the centre of the annular region of the bearing plate 306 and is rotatable in the bearing plate 306.

The gearbox 304 and bearing plate 306 are attached to the fixed base 106 by fasteners 404. In FIG. 4 , fastener 404 extends in the vertical direction and passes continuously through the screw hole surrounded by protrusion 318 of the bearing plate 306, the gearbox 304 and the fixed base 106. The advantage associated with this fastening arrangement is that the vertical height taken up by the gearbox 304 and bearing plate 306 is relatively small. For instance, because the bottom of the gearbox 304 abuts the fixed base 106, and the bearing plate 306 provides the top of the gearbox 304, the only excess vertical height from attaching the gearbox 304 and bearing plate 306 to the fixed base 106 is from the head of the fastener 404, which is relatively insignificant. Therefore, the movable base 108 is able to get very close to the fixed base 106 when the VRTT 100 is in the deployed configuration, because it is not inhibited by the height of the gearbox 304 and bearing plate 306.

According to the embodiment, when the VRTT 100 is in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base 108 and the fixed base 106 is less than 200 mm. This distance determines the maximum available vertical stroke of the VRTT 100. As will be understood, such a vertical stroke can be ensured to be sufficient to allow full retraction and full deployment of the propeller previously described.

Another advantage associated with this fastening arrangement is that the bearing plate 306 does not have to be integrated within the gearbox 304, which makes the vertical height adjusting assembly 110 less expensive, and easier to assemble and maintain.

To further reduce the vertical height taken by the gearbox 304, the upper surface of the fixed base 106 includes a recess 406. This recess 406 provides space for motor gearbox registry and clearance for shaft retaining screw 402. Screw 406, and washer 403 above it, retain the shaft 314 inside the gearbox. This stops the shaft 314 and leadscrew 308 assembly from being pulled upwards, instead of the movable base being pulled down. Shaft retaining screw 402 and washer 403 rotate with the shaft.

The output shaft 314 extends out of the bearing plate 306, where it forms a tubular portion 408. This tubular portion 408 is configured to cooperate with an end of height adjusting lead screw 308. To connect the tubular portion 408 to the height adjusting lead screw 308, the end of the height adjusting lead screw 308 is inserted into the tubular portion 408 of the output shaft 314 and a bolt 410 is passed through both pieces. Resultantly, the height adjusting lead screw 308 rotates with the output shaft 314.

Referring back to FIG. 3 a , the vertical height adjusting assembly 110 has a height adjusting limiter 320. The height adjusting limiter 320 comprises an elongate rod 322 and stoppers 324. The elongate rod 322 is fixed to the fixed base 106. The elongate rod 322 extends in the vertical direction through and past the movable base 108. Positioned along the length of elongate rod 322 are stoppers 324, with one stopper 324 being on either side of the movable base 108. Each stopper 324 is configured to activate a respective switch 323 a, 323 b, to deactivate the height adjustment motor 304 when the respective switch contacts the relevant stopper 324. This limits the range of movement of the movable base 108. The vertical positions of the stoppers 324 are adjustable, as shown in the drawings.

FIG. 3 a shows that the drive shaft casing 118 has a failsafe retainer screw 351 extending through the drive shaft casing 118, located just below the movable base 108. A corresponding failsafe retainer screw (not shown) is disposed on the opposing side of the drive shaft casing. The head of the failsafe retainer screw acts as a lug that would prevent the drive shaft casing from passing completely through the collar 502. This therefore prevents loss of the drive shaft and propeller, in the event of mechanical failure or breakage of the thruster.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the VRTT 100 has a vertical guide support 124. The vertical guide support 124 is an elongate pole attached to the fixed base 106 and extending in the vertical direction through and past the movable base 108. The vertical guide support 124 stabilises the movable base 108 when the vertical position of the movable base 108 is being adjusted. This ensures the movable base 108 remains aligned with the fixed base 106 during operation, which protects the vertical height adjusting assembly 110.

FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the fixed base 106, drive shaft 116 and drive shaft casing 118. In the embodiment, the fixed base 106 has a collar portion 502. The collar portion 502 may be an integrated part of the fixed base 106 or may be a separate part, which is attached through fasteners. The collar portion 502 resists lateral loads that act on the drive shaft 116 when the propeller 114 is deployed.

The VRTT 100 further comprises various seals. For example seal 120 is identified in FIG. 5 . The seal 120 is disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft casing 118 and an internal surface of bearing piece 503 that is attached to the fixed base 106, in this case within the collar portion 502. The seal 120 provides water sealing between the thrust motor side and the propeller side. This water sealing will be understood as not only being important for protecting the VRTT but also for maintaining the water-tight integrity of the hull. Bearing piece 503 provides a reservoir of grease. This acts as ingress protection, in addition to lubricating the shaft and seals. As can be seen in FIG. 5 , bearing piece 503 is provided with screw holes at its upper face and bearing piece 503 is fixed to the collar part 502 via corresponding screws. A lip seal is also provided at the base of collar portion 502 as the primary seal for ingress protection.

Circumferentially surrounding the propeller 114 and the propeller gearbox 122 is a propeller tunnel 506. In the drawings, this is shown in partial cutaway view. The propeller tunnel 506 has a flared tubular shape that extends in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propeller 114 (i.e. extending in the y-direction) and has a slightly larger inner diameter than to the propeller 114. The propeller tunnel 506 protects the propeller 114 from making contact with the seabed.

Connected to the bottom of the propeller tunnel is a hull plug 508. The hull plug 508 has the same curvature as the hull 102, such that when the VRTT 100 is in the retracted configuration, the hull plug 508 fills the gap in the hull through which the VRTT protrudes when the VRTT is in the deployed configuration (as seen in FIG. 1 ). The hull plug 508 may have seals (not shown) around the outer edges to create a water sealing with the hull 102, when the VRTT 100 is in the retracted configuration.

In order to be installed within the hull 102, the total vertical height of the VRTT 100, from the thruster motor to the base of the propeller tunnel 506 is less than 600 mm.

The VRTT 100 may be installed in the hull 102 of a pontoon boat. FIG. 6 shows a central pontoon hull 600 of a pontoon boat (the pontoon boat in this example would have three pontoons). Within the central pontoon is a windlass 602, a pressurised fore compartment 604, brackets 606 for attachment to a pontoon deck, a first VRTT 100 x and a second VRTT 100 y. The first VRTT 100 x and second VRTT 100 y each correspond to the VRTT 100 described above. The first VRTT 100 x is installed within the bow region of the hull and the second VRTT 100 y being installed toward the stern region of the hull. The first VRTT 100 x is installed between the windlass 602 and the pressurised tank 604. The pressurised tank 604 is provided to withstand water impacts at the front of the pontoon hull 102.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a vertical retracting thruster (VRTT) according to another embodiment of the invention, with the thruster in a retracted configuration. FIG. 8 shows another view of the VRTT of FIG. 7 , rotated about 60° around the axis of the drive shaft compared with the view of FIG. 7 . FIG. 9 shows the VRTT of FIG. 7 from a similar viewpoint but in partial cutaway view of the moveable base. FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of part of the VRTT shown in FIG. 9 .

This embodiment shares many features in common with the embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 6 . Where appropriate, similar reference numbers are used to describe similar features between the two embodiments, but with the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 having reference numbers with the suffix “a”.

FIG. 7 shows a front perspective view of the vertical retracting thruster 100 a (VRTT) in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 . The VRTT in FIG. 7 is in a retracted configuration. The VRTT of FIG. 7 is intended to be housed within a hull of a vessel and to be attached to a hull mount in a similar manner to the VRTT of FIG. 1 .

In general the VRTT 100 a comprises a fixed base 106 a, a movable base 108 a, a vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a, a thrust motor 112 a, a propeller 114 a, a drive shaft (not visible in FIG. 7 ), a drive shaft casing 118 a and a seal (not visible in FIG. 7 ).

The fixed base 106 a is attachable to the hull mount. The fixed base 106 a comprises two parts that sandwich the hull mount, with fasteners passing through both the fixed base 106 a and the hull mount to achieve a secure connection.

The fixed base 106 a separates a thrust motor side (in the upward direction relative to the fixed base 106 a) and a propeller side (in the downward direction relative to the fixed base 106 a).

The thrust produced by the VRTT 100 a is derived from the propeller 114 a. The propeller 114 a has a diameter in the range of 100 mm to 150 mm. It has been found that, in combination with a suitable electric motor, this provides adequate lateral thrust (and other low speed manoeuvring thrust) for typical pontoon boats. The propeller 114 a is provided on the propeller side of the fixed base 106 a and is oriented so that its axis of rotation lies in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and, as explained below, this axis of rotation can be varied within this plane in order to vary the direction of thrust. In the embodiment shown, the storage configuration may have the axis of rotation of the propeller perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hull (in a similar orientation to the first embodiment). However, in other embodiments the axis or rotation of the propeller in the storage configuration may be aligned with the longitudinal direction of the hull, or may be in another direction.

A thrust motor 112 a is provided to power the propeller 114 a. It is envisaged that the thrust motor 112 a is an electric motor. Electric motors are available of suitable power but also of a suitably small size. The thrust motor 112 a is mounted and attached to the movable base 108 a as described in more detail below. The thrust motor 112 a and movable base 108 a are located on the thrust motor side of the fixed base 106 a. Note that the thrust motor 112 a of this embodiment has a slightly different appearance to the thrust motor 112 shown in FIG. 1 . The thrust motor of FIG. 1 may be a series wound field DC motor, for example. The thrust motor of FIG. 7 may be a brushless DC motor, for example. The brushless DC motor may constitute a more efficient motor in a smaller overall format. However, in principle the motors may be used interchangeably.

A drive shaft (not shown) mechanically links the thrust motor 112 a with the propeller 114 a. The drive shaft extends between the thrust motor 112 a and the propeller 114 a in the vertical direction.

Surrounding the drive shaft is a drive shaft casing 118 a. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the drive shaft casing 118 a in partial cross-sectional view. The drive shaft casing 118 a protects the drive shaft from impacts and water damage during operation. Both the drive shaft and the drive shaft casing 118 a extend entirely through the movable base 108 a and the fixed base 106 a.

As the propeller 114 a is aligned perpendicular with respect to the drive shaft 116 a, the drive shaft 116 a is connected to the propeller 114 a through a right angle propeller gearbox (not shown), similar to that indicated in FIGS. 1-6 . This right angle propeller gearbox may be a 1:1, step-up or step-down gearbox.

Although not shown in FIGS. 7-10 , the VRTT 100 a can move from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration. When in the deployed configuration, the propeller 114 a projects out from the hull. Furthermore, in the deployed configuration, rotation of the propeller 114 a generates thrust to the hull. In order for the VRTT 100 a to transition from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration, the thrust motor 112 a, movable base 108 a, drive shaft and drive shaft casing 118 a all move downward in the vertical direction.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a is configured to move the movable base 108 a relative to the fixed base 106 a in a vertical direction. Accordingly, because the propeller 114 a is linked to the movable base 108 a via the thrust motor 112 a and drive shaft, moving the movable base 108 a also moves the propeller 114 a relative to the fixed base 106 a.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a has a similar construction and operation to that described with respect to FIGS. 1-6 . The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 comprises a height adjustment motor 302 a, a gearbox 304 a, a bearing plate 306 a, a height adjusting lead screw 308 a and a height adjusting lead screw follower (not shown).

To move the movable base 108 a relative to the fixed base 106 a in the vertical direction, the height adjustment motor 302 a rotates the height adjusting lead screw 308 a, which in turn couples with the height adjusting lead screw follower.

The height adjusting lead screw follower is fixed in position with respect to the movable base 108 a. The height adjusting lead screw follower has a hole with a threaded inner wall. The height adjusting lead screw follower extends vertically and continuously through the movable base 108 a.

The height adjusting lead screw 308 a consists of a threaded shaft that extends in the vertical direction. The height adjusting lead screw 308 a is configured to couple with the threaded inner wall at the hole of the height adjusting lead screw follower, such that the height adjusting lead screw 308 a is rotatable within the height adjusting lead screw follower 310 a. The height adjusting lead screw follower and movable base 108 a move in the vertical direction relative to the height adjusting lead screw 308 a, when the height adjusting lead screw 308 a rotates.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a has a height adjustment motor 302 a to rotate the height adjusting lead screw 308 a. The height adjustment motor 302 a is an electric motor, which has its principal axis (corresponding to the axis of rotation of the rotor within the motor) oriented transverse to the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the height adjustment motor 302 a may be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the hull. This orientation reduces the vertical height taken up by the height adjustment motor 302 a and uses instead the relatively plentiful longitudinal space available in the hull.

The height adjustment motor 302 a is connected to a gearbox 304 a. The gearbox 304 a is a right angle gearbox and may be a 1:1, step-up or step-down gearbox. Preferably the gearbox is a step down gear box and may for example utilise a worm and worm wheel arrangement. The gearbox 304 a includes an input shaft connected to the height adjustment motor 302 a and an output shaft 314 a connected to the height adjusting lead screw 308. The input shaft and the output shaft 314 are arranged to be orthogonal to each other. The gearbox 304 a has a gearbox casing, which partially houses the inner shaft and the output shaft 314 a. The gearbox 304 a is attached to the fixed base 106 a, with the bottom of the gearbox casing abutting the top of the fixed base 106 a.

Attached to the top of the gearbox 304 a is a bearing plate 306 a. The bearing plate may also provide the upper part of the gearbox casing. As shown with respect to FIGS. 1-6 , the bearing plate 306 a has an annular portion with three protrusions extending radially from the outer circumference of the annular portion, permitting fastening of the bearing plate and gearbox to the fixed base 106 a.

According to this embodiment, as for the previous embodiment, when the VRTT 100 a is in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base 108 a and the fixed base 106 a is less than 200 mm. This distance determines the maximum available vertical stroke of the VRTT 100 a. As will be understood, such a vertical stroke can be ensured to be sufficient to allow full retraction and full deployment of the propeller previously described.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a has a height adjusting limiter 320 a. The height adjusting limiter 320 a comprises an elongate rod 322 a and stoppers 324 a. The elongate rod 322 a is fixed to the fixed base 106 a. The elongate rod 322 a extends in the vertical direction through and past the movable base 108 a. Positioned along the length of elongate rod 322 a are stoppers 324 a, with one stopper 324 a being on either side of the movable base 108 a. Each stopper 324 a is configured to activate a respective switch 323 aa, 323 ba, to deactivate the height adjustment motor 304 a when the respective switch contacts the relevant stopper 324 a. This limits the range of movement of the movable base 108 a. The vertical positions of the stoppers 324 a are adjustable, as shown in the drawings.

The VRTT 100 a has vertical guide supports 124 a, 125 a. The vertical guide supports 124 a, 125 a are elongate poles attached to the fixed base 106 a and extending in the vertical direction through and past the movable base 108 a. The vertical guide supports 124 a, 125 a stabilise the movable base 108 a when the vertical position of the movable base 108 a is being adjusted. This ensures the movable base 108 a remains aligned with the fixed base 106 a during operation, which protects the vertical height adjusting assembly 110 a.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 , the construction and operation of the fixed base 106 a, collar portion 502 a and the various seals are similar to the explanations already provided with respect to FIG. 5 .

Circumferentially surrounding the propeller 114 a and the propeller gearbox is a propeller tunnel 506 a. The propeller tunnel 506 a has a flared tubular shape that extends in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propeller 114 a and has a slightly larger inner diameter than the propeller 114 a. The propeller tunnel 506 a protects the propeller 114 a from making contact with the seabed.

Connected to the bottom of the propeller tunnel is a hull plug 508 a. The hull plug 508 a has the same curvature as the hull, such that when the VRTT 100 a is in the retracted configuration, the hull plug 508 a fills the gap in the hull through which the VRTT protrudes when the VRTT is in the deployed configuration (as seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ). The hull plug 508 a may have seals (not shown) around the outer edges to create a water sealing with the hull, when the VRTT 100 a is in the retracted configuration.

In order to be installed within the hull, the total vertical height of the VRTT 100 a, from the thruster motor to the base of the propeller tunnel 506 a is less than 600 mm, in a similar manner to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 .

A significant difference between the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is that the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 is intended to the used purely as a lateral thruster. Once fitted to the hull, the rotational axis of the propeller is disposed to be horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hull. Thus when deployed, the thruster is available to provide lateral thrust to the hull. Other than deployment and retraction in the vertical direction, the rotational axis of the propeller is intended to be fixed with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hull. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 , the rotational axis of the propeller with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hull can be varied, at least when the thruster is in the deployed configuration. This is achievable due to a steering arrangement 200 a that will now be described in more detail. The effect of this construction is that the thruster can be used not only to provide lateral thrust but thrust in any direction in the horizontal plane. This allows the thruster to provide useful steering control of the boat in low speed manoeuvring, for example during mooring procedures.

Steering arrangement 200 a provides the effect of rotating the thrust motor 112 a, the drive shaft casing 118 a, the propeller 114 a and the tunnel 506 a and hull plug 508 a with respect to the moveable base 108 a and the fixed base 106 a. This rotation is around the axis of rotation A of the drive shaft, which in use is intended to be oriented in the vertical direction. Given that the fixed base 106 a is for attachment with respect to the hull, the steering arrangement permits orientation of the thrust direction provided by the propeller in any direction within a plane perpendicular to axis A.

Thrust motor 112 a is attached to motor mount ring 210 a with the drive shaft 212 a of the motor 112 a extending through a central aperture 214 a of motor mount ring 210 a. Gear ring 218 a is sandwiched between the motor mount ring 210 a and a main leg fixing piece 216 a and the motor mount ring 210 a, gear ring 218 a and main leg fixing piece 216 a are fixed together via screws 220 a. The drive shaft casing 118 a is attached to the main leg fixing piece 216 a and is rotatable with the main leg fixing piece 216 a within aperture 109 a formed through the movable base 108 a.

Slew ring bearing 224 a comprises an inner ring 226 a fixed to the movable base 108 a and an outer ring 228 a which is rotatable with respect to the inner ring 226 a via bearings (not shown) which permit said rotation but which prevent relative axial translational movement between the inner ring and outer ring. The annularly outer part of the main leg fixing piece 216 a is attached to the outer ring 228 a. By this arrangement, the thrust motor 112 a, motor mount ring, gear ring 218 a, main leg fixing piece 216 a, drive shaft casing 118 a and outer ring 228 a of the slew ring bearing 224 a are rotatable together about axis A relative to the movable base 108 a and inner ring 226 a of the slew ring bearing 224 a.

Steering motor 230 a has a horizontal rotational output at a steering motor output shaft (not shown) which drive gearbox 232 a which rotates steering gear wheel 234 a which is mounted behind protective cover 236 a. Toothed belt 238 a wraps around steering gear wheel 234 a and around ring gear 218 a. Accordingly, operation of steering motor 230 a rotates steering gear wheel 234 a to rotate ring gear 218 a via toothed belt, which therefore causes rotation of the thrust motor 112 a, motor mount ring, gear ring 218 a, main leg fixing piece 216 a, drive shaft casing 118 a and outer ring 228 a of the slew ring bearing 224 a together about axis A relative to the movable base 108 a and inner ring 226 a of the slew ring bearing 224 a. Rotation of the drive shaft casing 118 a through the fixed base 106 a causes rotation of the propeller 114 a and the tunnel 506 a, allowing control of the direction of thrust from the propeller in the horizontal plane.

As will be understood, the present embodiment is illustrated as providing a reduction in gearing between the steering motor 230 a and the drive shaft casing 118 a. However, various different implementations of control of the rotational position of the drive shaft casing 118 a and ultimately of the propeller 114 a in the horizontal plane will be apparent on the basis of the present disclosure. An exemplary further embodiment is set out below. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a vertical retracting thruster (VRTT) according to a further embodiment of the invention, with the thruster in a retracted configuration. The view shows part of the hull of the vessel but omits the compartment to which the VRTT is attached. FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the movable base of the VRTT of FIG. 11 . FIG. 13 shows a schematic perspective cross sectional view of the VRTT of FIG. 11 . FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of a modified version of the VRTT of FIG. 11 .

This embodiment shares many features in common with the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 7-10 and FIGS. 1-6 . Where appropriate, similar reference numbers are used to describe similar features between the two embodiments, but with the embodiment of FIGS. 11-14 having reference numbers with the suffix “b”.

FIG. 11 shows a front perspective view of the vertical retracting thruster 100 b (VRTT) in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 . The VRTT in FIG. 11 is in a retracted configuration. The VRTT of FIG. 11 is intended to be housed within a hull 102 b of a vessel and to be attached to a hull mount in a similar manner to the VRTT of FIG. 1 . Note that in FIG. 11 only part of the hull 102 b is shown, in order for the VRTT to be visible more easily.

In general the VRTT 100 b comprises a fixed base 106 b, a movable base 108 b, a vertical height adjusting assembly 110 b, a thrust motor (not visible in FIG. 11 ), a propeller 114 b, a drive shaft (not visible in FIG. 11 ), a drive shaft casing 118 b and a seal (not visible in FIG. 11 ).

The fixed base 106 b is attachable to a hull mount (not shown in FIG. 11 ). The fixed base 106 b comprises two parts that sandwich the hull mount, with fasteners passing through both the fixed base 106 b and the hull mount to achieve a secure connection.

The fixed base 106 b separates a thrust motor side (in the upward direction relative to the fixed base 106 b) and a propeller side (in the downward direction relative to the fixed base 106 b). However, note that in view of the location of the motor, described below, it is possible that in the deployed configuration at least part of the motor may project through the fixed base.

The thrust produced by the VRTT 100 b is derived from the propeller 114 b. The propeller 114 b has a diameter in the range of 100 mm to 250 mm. The upper limit of the propeller diameter is larger than for the previous embodiments, even when the VRTT is installed in a hull identical that that described with respect to the previous embodiments. This is described in more detail below. A larger propeller diameter, in combination with a suitable electric motor, provides increased lateral thrust (and other low speed manoeuvring thrust) for typical pontoon boats.

The propeller 114 b is provided on the propeller side of the fixed base 106 b and is oriented so that its axis of rotation lies in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction and, as explained below, this axis of rotation can be varied within this plane in order to vary the direction of thrust. In the embodiment shown, the storage configuration may have the axis of rotation of the propeller parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hull. Based on geometric considerations in particular for pontoon boats with substantially cylindrical hulls, it is possible to fit a slightly larger propeller tunnel in the hull in the storage configuration when the propeller and tunnel is oriented in this manner. However, in other embodiments the axis of rotation of the propeller in the storage configuration may be aligned perpendicular with the longitudinal direction of the hull, or may be in another direction.

A thrust motor 112 b (see FIGS. 13 and 14 ) is provided to power the propeller 114 b. It is envisaged that the thrust motor 112 b is an electric motor. Electric motors are available of suitable power but also of a suitably small size. The thrust motor 112 b inside the drive shaft casing 118 b as described in more detail below. The thrust motor of the present embodiment may be a brushless DC motor, for example. The brushless DC motor may constitute a more efficient motor in a smaller overall format. However, in principle the motors may be used interchangeably. Motor power and control leads 113 b are provided for the motor 112 b.

A drive shaft 115 b (see FIG. 13 ) mechanically links the thrust motor 112 b with the propeller 114 b. The drive shaft extends between the thrust motor 112 b and the propeller 114 b in the vertical direction.

Surrounding the drive shaft is a drive shaft casing 118 b. FIG. 13 shows the drive shaft casing 118 b in partial cross-sectional view. The drive shaft casing 118 b protects the drive shaft from impacts and water damage during operation. The drive shaft casing 118 b extends entirely through the movable base 108 b and the fixed base 106 b.

As the propeller 114 b is aligned perpendicular with respect to the drive shaft 116 a, the drive shaft 116 b is connected to the propeller 114 b through a right angle propeller gearbox 122 b, similar to that indicated in FIGS. 1-6 . This right angle propeller gearbox may be a 1:1, step-up or step-down gearbox.

Although not shown in FIGS. 11-14 , the VRTT 100 b can move from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration. When in the deployed configuration, the propeller 114 b projects out from the hull. Furthermore, in the deployed configuration, rotation of the propeller 114 b generates thrust to the hull. In order for the VRTT 100 b to transition from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration, the thrust motor 112 b, movable base 108 b, drive shaft 115 b and drive shaft casing 118 b all move downward in the vertical direction.

The vertical height adjusting assembly 110 b is configured to move the movable base 108 b relative to the fixed base 106 b in a vertical direction as described with respect to the preceding embodiments.

According to this embodiment, when the VRTT 100 b is in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base 108 b and the fixed base 106 b may be more than 200 mm. For example this distance may be 250 mm or less, or even up to 300 mm or less. This distance determines the maximum available vertical stroke of the VRTT 100 b. As will be understood, such a vertical stroke can be ensured to be sufficient to allow full retraction and full deployment of the propeller previously described.

A significant difference between the present embodiments and the embodiments described above is the location of thrust motor 112 b. In FIGS. 7 and 8 , the thrust motor cannot be seen because it is located within the drive shaft casing 118 b. This provides the significant advantage that the thrust motor in this embodiment does not stand proud (or does not stand significantly proud) from the movable base 108 b. In turn, this reduces the profile of the VRTT and means that the headroom required for retraction of the VRTT is smaller and therefore that a larger diameter propeller can be used.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 , the motor 112 b (shown schematically) has an external diameter substantially corresponding to the internal diameter of the drive shaft casing 118 b. The output shaft 130 b of the motor attaches to a proximal end of the drive shaft 115 b via shear pins 132 b. The distal end of the drive shaft 115 b attaches to an input shaft 134 b of the gearbox 112 b to allow driving of the propeller 114 b.

FIG. 14 shows a slightly modified embodiment in which the location of the motor is similar to FIG. 13 but the output shaft 130 c of the motor 112 c is connected to a planetary gearbox 140 c which in tuns connects to the drive shaft 115 c which connects to an input shaft 134 c to the gearbox 112. As can be seen in FIG. 14 , gearbox 122 b uses a bevel gear arrangement. It is intended that a similar construction gearbox can also be used in the other embodiments.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 11-14 , the construction and operation of the fixed base 106 b, collar portion 502 b and the various seals are similar to the explanations already provided with respect to FIG. 5 .

Circumferentially surrounding the propeller 114 b and the propeller gearbox is a propeller tunnel 506 b. The propeller tunnel 506 b has a flared tubular shape that extends in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the propeller 114 b and has a slightly larger inner diameter than the propeller 114 b. The propeller tunnel 506 b protects the propeller 114 b from making contact with the seabed.

Connected to the bottom of the propeller tunnel is a hull plug 508 b. The hull plug 508 b has the same curvature as the hull, such that when the VRTT 100 b is in the retracted configuration, the hull plug 508 b fills the gap in the hull through which the VRTT protrudes when the VRTT is in the deployed configuration (as seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1 ). The hull plug 508 b may have seals (not shown) around the outer edges to create a water sealing with the hull, when the VRTT 100 b is in the retracted configuration.

In order to be installed within the hull (assuming that the inner diameter of the hull is 600 mm), the total vertical height of the VRTT 100 b, from the top of the VRTT to the base of the propeller tunnel 506 b is less than 600 mm, in a similar manner to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6 and FIGS. 7-10 .

As for the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 , the embodiments of FIGS. 11-14 allow the rotational axis of the propeller with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hull to be varied, at least when the thruster is in the deployed configuration. This is achievable due to a steering arrangement 200 b that will now be described in more detail and has a modified construction compared with FIGS. 7-10 . The effect of the steering arrangement is that the thruster can be used not only to provide lateral thrust but thrust in any direction in the horizontal plane. This allows the thruster to provide useful steering control of the boat in low speed manoeuvring, for example during mooring procedures.

Steering arrangement 200 b provides the effect of rotating the thrust motor 112 b, the drive shaft casing 118 b, the propeller 114 b and the tunnel 506 b and hull plug 508 b with respect to the moveable base 108 b and the fixed base 106 b. This rotation is around the axis of rotation A of the drive shaft, which in use is intended to be oriented in the vertical direction. Given that the fixed base 106 b is for attachment with respect to the hull, the steering arrangement permits orientation of the thrust direction provided by the propeller in any direction within a plane perpendicular to axis A.

Thrust motor 112 b is attached to motor mount plate 210 b with the motor extending below the motor mount plate 210 b within the drive shaft casing 118 b as already described. Worm ring 218 b is attached to the motor mount plate and ultimately to the drive shaft casing 118 b via suitable screws. The drive shaft casing 118 b is rotatable within aperture 109 b formed through the movable base 108 b.

Slew ring bearing 224 b comprises an inner ring 226 b and an outer ring 228 b. Outer ring 228 b is fixed with respect to the movable base 108 b and the inner ring 226 b is rotatable with respect to the outer ring 228 b via bearings (not shown) which permit said rotation but which prevent relative axial translational movement between the inner ring and outer ring.

The drive shaft casing 118 b is attached to the inner ring 226 b. By this arrangement, the thrust motor 112 b, motor mount plate 210 b, worm ring 218 b, drive shaft casing 118 b and inner ring 226 b of the slew ring bearing 224 b are rotatable together about axis A relative to the movable base 108 b and outer ring 228 b of the slew ring bearing 224 b.

Steering motor 230 b has a horizontal rotational output at a steering motor output shaft (not shown) which drive worm gear 233 b which meshes with worm ring 218 b. Accordingly, operation of steering motor 230 b rotates worm ring 218 b via the worm gear 233 b, which therefore causes rotation of the thrust motor 112 b, motor mount plate 210 b, drive shaft casing 118 a and inner ring 226 b of the slew ring bearing 224 b together about axis A relative to the movable base 108 b and outer ring 226 b of the slew ring bearing 224 b. Rotation of the drive shaft casing 118 b through the fixed base 106 b causes rotation of the propeller 114 b and the tunnel 506 b, allowing control of the direction of thrust from the propeller in the horizontal plane.

In other embodiments, it is possible for the VRTT not to include a steering arrangement but to use the thrust motor configuration shown in FIGS. 11-14 . Accordingly, the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 can be modified to use the thrust motor configuration shown in FIGS. 11-14 .

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/−10%. 

1. A vertical retracting thruster for providing lateral thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising: a fixed base separating a thrust motor side and a propeller side of the vertical retracting thruster; a movable base provided on the thrust motor side; a vertical height adjusting assembly configured to move the movable base relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction; a thrust motor mounted to the movable base; a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to 150 mm, the propeller being provided on the propeller side; a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the fixed base; a drive shaft casing provided around the drive shaft; and a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft casing and an internal surface of the fixed base, the seal providing water sealing between the thrust motor side and propeller side, wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a retracted configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller projects from the hull, the vertical retracting thruster being operable to move between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration, and wherein, when in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base and the fixed base is less than 200 mm, and wherein the vertical height adjusting assembly comprises: a height adjustment motor; a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor; a bearing plate attached to the gearbox such that the output shaft of the gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate; a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable base; and a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the gearbox, the height adjusting lead screw extending in the vertical direction from the gearbox to the height adjusting lead screw follower, the height adjusting lead screw coupling with the height adjusting lead screw follower such that the height adjusting lead screw follower and movable base move in the vertical direction when the height adjusting lead screw is rotated via the height adjustment motor and gearbox, wherein the bearing plate and gearbox are attached to the fixed base with at least one fastener, said at least one fastener passing continuously through the bearing plate, the gearbox and the fixed base.
 2. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft has a fixed length in the vertical direction.
 3. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the total vertical height from the thruster motor to the propeller is less than 600 mm.
 4. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thrust motor is an electric motor.
 5. A vertical retracting thruster for providing thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising: a fixed base separating a thrust motor side and a propeller side of the vertical retracting thruster; a movable base provided on the thrust motor side; a vertical height adjusting assembly configured to move the movable base relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction; a thrust motor mounted to the movable base; a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to 150 mm, the propeller being provided on the propeller side; a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the fixed base; a drive shaft casing provided around the drive shaft; a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft casing and an internal surface of the fixed base, the seal providing water sealing between the thrust motor side and propeller side, wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a retracted configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller projects from the hull, the vertical retracting thruster being operable to move between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration, and wherein, when in the retracted configuration, the distance in the vertical direction between the movable base and the fixed base is less than 200 mm, and wherein the vertical retracting thruster further comprises a steering arrangement for control of the direction of an axis of rotation of the propeller and thereby the direction of thrust at least when the vertical retracting thruster is in the deployed configuration, the steering arrangement being configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base.
 6. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 5 wherein the vertical height adjusting assembly comprises: a height adjustment motor; a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor; a bearing plate attached to the gearbox such that the output shaft of the gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate; a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable base; and a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the gearbox, the height adjusting lead screw extending in the vertical direction from the gearbox to the height adjusting lead screw follower, the height adjusting lead screw coupling with the height adjusting lead screw follower such that the height adjusting lead screw follower and movable base move in the vertical direction when the height adjusting lead screw is rotated via the height adjustment motor and gearbox.
 7. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 6 wherein the bearing plate and gearbox are attached to the fixed base with at least one fastener, said at least one fastener passing continuously through the bearing plate, the gearbox and the fixed base.
 8. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the steering arrangement comprises a steering motor fixed with respect to the movable base, the steering motor configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base.
 9. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the steering arrangement comprises a slew ring bearing arranged to allow rotation between the drive shaft casing and the movable base and to retain the drive shaft casing in a vertical direction with respect to the movable base.
 10. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the drive shaft has a fixed length in the vertical direction.
 11. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the total vertical height from the thruster motor to the propeller is less than 600 mm.
 12. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the thrust motor is an electric motor.
 13. A vertical retracting thruster for providing thrust to a vessel, the vertical retracting thruster being suitable for mounting within a hull of the vessel, the vertical retracting thruster comprising: a fixed base for mounting with respect to the hull; a movable base; a vertical height adjusting assembly; a thrust motor; a propeller with an outer diameter in the range from 100 mm to 250 mm; wherein the vertical retracting thruster has a retracted configuration, in which the propeller is retracted into the hull, and a deployed configuration, in which the propeller projects from the hull, the vertical retracting thruster being operable to move between the retracted configuration and the deployed configuration, the vertical retracting thruster further comprising: a drive shaft linking the thrust motor to the propeller, the drive shaft extending in the vertical direction through the fixed base when the vertical retracting thruster is in the retracted configuration; a drive shaft casing provided around at least part of the drive shaft and extending from the movable base and through the fixed base; a seal disposed between an outer surface of the drive shaft casing and an internal surface of the fixed base, wherein the thrust motor is contained, at least in part, within the drive shaft casing, the vertical height adjusting assembly being configured to move the movable base, the drive shaft casing, the thrust motor and the drive shaft relative to the fixed base in a vertical direction.
 14. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 13 wherein the thrust motor is contained, in its entirety, within the drive shaft casing.
 15. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 13 or claim 14 further comprising a steering arrangement for control of the direction of an axis of rotation of the propeller and thereby the direction of thrust at least when the vertical retracting thruster is in the deployed configuration.
 16. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 15 wherein the steering arrangement is configured to rotate the thrust motor, the drive shaft casing and the propeller with respect to the movable base and with respect to the fixed base.
 17. A vertical retracting thruster according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the steering arrangement comprises a steering motor fixed with respect to the movable base.
 18. A vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 13 to 17 further comprising: a height adjustment motor; a gearbox with an output shaft, the output shaft being mechanically linked to the height adjustment motor; a bearing plate attached to the gearbox such that the output shaft of the gearbox is rotatable in the bearing plate; a height adjusting lead screw follower attached to the moveable base; and a height adjusting lead screw connected to and rotatable with the output shaft of the gearbox.
 19. A vessel with a vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 1 to 18 installed inside a hull of the vessel.
 20. A vessel according to claim 19, wherein the vessel is a pontoon style vessel.
 21. A vessel according to claim 20, wherein the pontoon style vessel comprises three hulls.
 22. A vessel according to claim 21, wherein the vertical retracting thruster is installed inside the central hull.
 23. A vessel according to the any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein a vertical retracting thruster according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is installed inside a bow region of the hull and another vertical retracting thruster, of a same or different type, according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is installed inside a stern region of the hull. 